Parkinson's Forecast for September (Anchorage area)

Ahoy there People with an interest in Parkinson's Disease. What does the future hold? Glad you asked. I have peered long and hard in my crystal ball, and can say the following will come to pass...

 The telehealth presentation will be 9th of September at 1:00 pm in room 2401 of the Providence oncology wing on Piper St.  Go to the second floor, walk down the lonnnnnnnng hall that stretches South from the cafe and look for room 2401 pretty much at the end of the hall on your right. This Month, Dance and how Dance helps those affected by Parkinson’s Disease. Speaker: Suzanne Ostersmith, is a Theatre Artist, Choreographer, Visual Artist, and Arts Educator. She serves as Academic Dance Program Director for Gonzaga University’s theatre and Parkinson’s Resource Center of Spokane, More information at center@spokaneparkinsons.org

Of course, if you are interested in dance as a way of coping with Parkinson's disease, you should know we are fortunate enough to have Carolyn Lassiter leading classes (please see below) I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention that Yoga for Parkinson's is underway again in Anchorage, Thanks to Rocky Plotnick. Here is the info on that

We have a schedule for our Yoga for Parkinson's class in August & September! Classes will be from 1:15 pm to 2:15 pm on Thursdays at the Alaska Dance Theatre (550 E. 33rd Ave).There is no charge for this class.  Yoga mats are provided.  No experience necessary. Just bring comfy clothes and an open mind. Watch for the website, trinityyogaalaska.com - launch date is August 5th.

Finally, we have our regular meeting scheduled for  September 21, I will try to have a report ready for you on the Inland Hope conference on Parkinson's disease

That's what was in the crystal ball, more news as it breaks! (As the news breaks, not the crystal ball.)

Best,

Peter

What's so Funny about Parkinson's Disease? Delivering a Slurred Speech in Spokane, Sept. 7

Humor is a dicey proposition with PD. People are fragile by definition when diagnosed with a major illness. But who could use a laugh more than someone who has had their mortality thrown in their face? (Hint: nobody, that's who) I'll argue that humor is one of the tools we have developed to cope with life's difficulties. Like any tool it can be misused. But if used right, it's a key to doing the job of coping your best with Parkinson's. We'll look at the different ways humor can help those of us with Parkinson's and how it can reduce the power this disease can have over us.

Here is the lowdown on the speakers, date and place,info from the Northwest Parkinson's Foundation.

Spokane, WA
The Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation is hosting its 2nd Annual Inland Northwest Conference on Parkinson's. An educational conference for Parkinson patients, families, caregivers and friends.

Saturday, September 7, 2013
9:00am-3:00pm
Registration opens at 8:00am
Breakfast snacks and plated lunch included.

LOCATION:
Northern Quest Resort
Pend Oreille Pavilion
100 North Hayford Road
Airway Heights, WA 99001

SPEAKERS:
Keynote
Dr. Anthony Santiago - Dopamine Replacement Therapies

Panel - Making Your Medicines Work for You
Dr. Pinky Agarwal
Dr. Laurie Mischley
Len Norfleet, PT

Dr. Jennifer Van Wey - PD Diagnosis & Relationships

Lynda LeBlanc - Dance for PD

Peter Dunlap-Shohl - What's So Funny about PD?

Including a Special Performance by the
Tremble Clefs Choir!

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Call: 1-877-980-7500

Blog You Are Reading RIGHT NOW Named One of 15 Best Blogs on Parkinson's Disease for 2013

In accordance with our journalistic imperative to bring you the latest, most important news about PD and in no way driven by my vast ego and need for approval, I would like to graciously announce the following...(ahem)... Healthline editors recently published their final list of the top Parkinson's blogs on the web for 2013 and Off & On: The Alaska Parkinson’s Rag made the list. You can find the complete list at http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/best-parkinsons-blogs (in no particular order).


We don't know jack about Healthline, but they certainly must have researched thoroughly to have found this teeny tiny blog crying in the wilderness. Among others mentioned in the top 15 are the Parkinson's Disease Foundation's "Parkinson's Insights'', "Positively Parkinson's" by Bob Kuhn, Kate Kelsall's "Shake, Rattle and Roll" and "Foxfeed" from the MJ Fox Foundation.

In addition to citing the content of "Off and On" they also praised the author's "Quirky" creativity. When reached for comment, blog producer Peter Dunlap-Shohl replied "Quirky? The hell with that, I'm a full-blown, stage five, certified eccentric!" At which, he terminated the interview using a can of bear spray. Fortunately for us, we were interviewing him by telephone, and were unhurt. Dunlap-Shohl, however was heard coughing and cursing loudly and quirkily on the other end of the line. We offer him our congratulations and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

August PD Forecast for Anchorage and Environs

Hello Friends,

Here's what's on the Parkinson's plate for August. Live! From Spokane, it's a TeleHealth Presentation!

August 12th 1:00PM, 2013 at Providence Hospital oncology wing on Piper St. ( Go to the second floor walk down the lonnnnnnnng hall that stretches South from the cafe and look for room 2401 pretty much at the end of the hall on your right. )

This month:

The power of support groups.

“My presentation will address the myths of join a support group, the healing and hope of being part of a close group of friends whose journey is your journey, the groups available in your area or ways to begin forming support groups in your area if there are no resources available” says speaker Linda Lysne, Caregiver Support Group Leader.

Linda brings experience to her volunteer efforts as facilitator of two support groups for the Parkinson’s.

Our regular group meeting this month is the 17th, at 3:30. This month we will hear from, uh, me. I've been invited to speak on Parkinson's and Humor at the Spokane 2nd Annual Inland Northwest HOPE For Parkinson's Conference. I thought I'd save you the air fare and give an exclusive preview to you all of my slide presentation "What's so Funny About Parkinson's Disease?" Hope to see you there,

Peter

Yoga For Parkinson's in Anchorage

We have a schedule for Rocky Plotnick's Yoga for PD class in August & September. Rocky has studied yoga with a Parkinson's coach, and this class should be a great way to take advantage of the benefits of Yoga for those who have Parkinson's.

Classes will be from 1:15 pm to 2:15 pm on Thursdays at the Alaska Dance Theater (550 E. 33rd Ave).

We will take a break from now until August 22nd.  This means NO CLASS August 1, 8 or 15.

There is no charge for this class.  Yoga mats are provided.  No experience necessary.

Just bring comfy clothes and an open mind.

Watch for Rocky's website, trinityyogaalaska.com - launch date is August 5th.

Another Revised Manuscript Page

We're up to page 88 of my Parkinson's "graphic novel" revision! About ten pages to go... On this page. I give in to my baser instincts, and just wail the tar out of the damn disease.  I apologize in advance for this lowbrow behavior, but it did feel awfully good. (Click image to enlarge)

Special Meeting July 24: Presentation from the MJ Fox Foundation

Hello friends, We have a special meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 24. Madhavi Rao, an advancement officer with The Michael J. Fox Foundation will be in town to give us a rundown on Parkinson's research the foundation is excited about. Because I anticipate a larger than usual audience for this special presentation, it will not be at our customary  venue. Instead, it will be at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center, from 3:00-5:00. There is ample parking there, and a covered drop-off area by the front door. We'll be in the Sullivan Room. Staff will be able to direct you.

Anchorage Senior Activity Center

Address: 1300 E 19th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501

Phone:(907) 258-7823

This should be a barn-burner of a talk, I hope you can make it.

July Parkinson's events for Anchorage and environs

Hello  friends. Here is the lowdown on  PD activities for the month of JULY.

You are invited to attend the Parkinson’s Education TeleHealth Presentation: July 8, room 2401 at 1:00 p.m. in the Providence oncology wing on Piper St.  Go to the second floor walk down the lonnnnnnnng hall that stretches South from the cafe and look for room 2401 pretty much at the end of the hall on your right.
This Month, a double header, leading off:
Harmonic Wellness Acoustic Sound Therapy and possible benefits for those affected by PD.
Since 1979, Lynn Kelly, MT has been involved in the Healing Arts of alternative health and healing.  Certified Massage Therapist, California College of the Physical Arts, Huntington Beach, California.  Lynn’s point of view, disease is an indication, that for whatever reason, a person’s energy has changed and their energy needs to be brought back into a healthier state. Harmonic Wellness Therapy is dedicated to safe, affordable and noninvasive vibroacoustic sound table therapy.  Harmonic Wellness Sound Table Therapy Utilizes comfortable oversize massage tables converted with high quality  transducers that translate sound into vibrational massage targeted to the cellular level of muscles, organs and bones in the body. (Lynn will provide a day of Harmonic Wellness Therapy mini sessions free of charge at the Parkinson’s Resource Center of Spokane.) Lynn Kelly, MT Founder of Harmonic Wellness Therapy, LLC ...and... 

 

 Laughter may be the best therapy Speaker: Cyndi Cook, Resource Director  - Parkinson’s Resource Center A brief look into laughter, why it benefits all of us...and some funny videos to inspire laughter. Meetings are free of cost.
The Parkinson's TeleHealth Program broadcasts live, interactive educational talks to a network of rural communities in the Northwest. On the SECOND Monday of each month, a guest speaker presents a topic geared toward the interests of Parkinson's families. The information is designed to help participants to improve their knowledge of Parkinson's disease and in turn their quality of life.

And this month, the meeting will be our annual Summer potluck. The date: July 20, the time, 3:30, the place will be my house 9601 Elmore Road. To find our place, take Lake Otis Blvd to the intersection with Abbott Road. Head East on Abbott (toward the Mountains, the sunrise, uphill etc. ) Follow Abbott until you come to a traffic light. Turn right, heading South on Elmore for a quarter of a mile or so. Or just take Elmore South from the University area until you hit the light at the Abbott intersection, and then continue as above. Our driveway will appear on your left, halfway up a small hill. Turn down the longish unpaved driveway, and find us whooping it up at the end. What to bring: Your choice of Summer picnic food. We'll have various items to grill. Looking forward to seeing you,

Two Contrasting Pages From a Work in Progress

These two pages occur in separate chapters, but make an interesting contrast. The first is from a passage about the shock of diagnosis, and how professional healers can compound the pain of disease. The second is about the gratitude due to those from all walks of life who step up and help carry the burden. There are many thoughts to tease out of this contrast, one could write a book...
(Click images to enlarge)

Update: Here's a New Event happening in May

April was Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month. But May is shaping up as Routing Parkinson's Disease Ignorance Month. In addition to the Telehealth broadcast, (May13) on top of the Q&A with PD Specialist Dr. Alec Glass (regular meeting May 18) we have...

Ali Samii, MD
Movement Disorder Specialist
Professor of Neurology & Adjunct Professor of Neurological Surgery
University of Washington and the VA

Tuesday May 14, 2013
2:30pm Registration
3:00pm -4:30pm Program

Sheraton Anchorage
401 East 6th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 276-8700
Parking will be provided

Parkinson’s Disease: An Update

Box Lunches will be provided

Please RSVP to 1-877-229-4532 ext 1035806

Now is your chance to grill a PD specialist intimate and up close. See you there, and there, and there.